Kyiv says Black Sea ceasefire covers civilian vessels, not Russian warships

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgiy Tikhyi has clarified the terms of a temporary ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea, emphasizing that it pertains exclusively to civilian shipping and Ukrainian ports in the region.

However, the ceasefire does not apply to Russian military vessels, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Tikhyi stressed that any movement of Russian warships beyond the eastern part of the Black Sea would be regarded as a national security threat to Ukraine and a breach of the principle of free navigation. In such cases, the Ukrainian Armed Forces would retain the right to self-defense, he stated.

The ceasefire was discussed during a recent meeting in Saudi Arabia between Ukraine and the United States. Tikhyi confirmed that the agreement, which covers civilian navigation and Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, does not extend to Russian military activity. This includes not only the port of Odessa but all Ukrainian Black Sea ports, including those on rivers that flow into the sea.

Additionally, Tikhyi addressed confusion surrounding the start of the "energy truce" with Russia. Contrary to the Kremlin's claim that the ceasefire began on March 18, Tikhyi confirmed that it officially took effect on March 25.

By Khagan Isayev